Proverbs 21:4
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An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
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Righteousness begins in a regenerated heart that keeps its thoughts and motives humble and pure (4:23; 14:14; 22:11). It continues in the looks of the countenance (30:13; Is 2:11). Which leads to actions that honor and please the Lord (11:20; 21:27; Ps 11:7).
Dear reader, if your heart is not right with God, fully obedient to Him, your actions are all sinful! What a horrible and damning thing is sin! The most innocent, noble, or religious activities become further condemnation when done without a pure heart! Read how the prophet rebuked Judah for spiritual slothfulness corrupting all they did (Hag 2:10-14).
Let us start with the high look. God hates pride, so He condemns it often. Pride is trusting and glorying in yourself; and God hates any competition for His glory and praise, especially you. He knows you are nothing, and you should know it (Ps 39:5; 62:9).
He expressly hates a proud look (6:16-17). A high look is when thoughts of pride leak from your heart and affect your face, speech, and manner before Him and others. It is most despicable on the face or in the eyes of a woman, for she is further removed by office from God (Is 3:16-17; I Cor 11:3; I Tim 2:9). Let every woman lower her eyes!
Consider; charity vaunteth not itself, which condemns outward airs of superiority toward others. But neither is charity puffed up, which condemns even the thoughts (I Cor 13:4).
Which brings us to the proud heart. Our first duty is to keep our hearts humble before God and others. We should smite our breasts and confess that without mercy we are lost (Luke 18:13). We must reject our own conceits and humbly condescend to others (Rom 12:16). We must esteem others better than ourselves with a lowly heart (Phil 2:3-5).
David, the man after God's own heart, gives us a great example. He prayed that he would not be guilty of either sin - an high look or a proud heart (Ps 131:1). Then he resolved to cut off any person in his house that had either of these abominations (Ps 101:5). All you have to do is look around to realize that there are few with zeal for the Lord like David. Most parents idolize their children and cannot imagine or stomach such holy resolutions.
But what can we learn about the plowing of the wicked? Even natural activities that are duties of God and nature become sin when done by a man with a wicked heart.
Every activity of man must be done to the glory of God, which the wicked never consider (I Cor 10:31; Ps 10:4). And every activity must be done in faith, which the wicked do not have (Rom 14:23; II Thess 3:2). So even their breathing becomes a breath of damnation!
And such is just as true of religious activities. When he prays, he commits an abomination (28:9)! When he sacrifices, he commits an abomination (15:8)! What a horrible life, accumulating sins for the Day of Judgment!
Why? Because they trust in themselves, are unthankful, and labor for their own greed and pride, rather than the glory of God! God is not in all their thoughts! They use His creation for their own selfish ends. They have no regard for His Person or His precepts.
Before plowing, the righteous man thanks God for his and his ox's health, sunshine, last night's rain, the acres he owns, the opportunity to work, God's mercy to sinners, and the hope of eternal life. While plowing, he meditates on the ox's strength, the smell of the soil, the miracle of plant growth, the Lord's goodness, and begs Divine mercy for more rain and greater grace. He wipes sweat away and thanks Heaven for the body's cooling system. At the day's end, he gives seed to a neighbor, takes a chicken to the preacher, thanks the Lord for a blessed day, reads his Bible, confesses his sins, and loves his wife.
Before plowing, the wicked man complains about the fact he has only one ox, the lack of sunshine last month, the mud from last night's rain, the farm next door he wishes he owned, the death of his father last winter, the burden of taxes, and how life is hard. While plowing, he dreams of making more money than his brother, beating his neighbor for local councilman, and of how strong and successful he has become. And twice he swears at the sun for making the day so hot. At the day's end, he sends the borrowing neighbor away empty, kills two chickens to glut himself, complains about how hard he worked, reads the Police Gazette, and goes to sleep thinking of his neighbor's wife.
Are there any more questions about the plowing of the wicked?
Dear reader, it is your sober duty to keep your heart pure from sin. Examine your soul to walk with God without distraction. If you allow compromise to remain, your actions and prayers become sin. And you will bring upon yourself His severe chastisement. So from the heart, in your looks, and through your actions, let all be done to the glory of God!
Ah, Christian, there is no dread here for you. With faith in Jesus Christ and confession of your sins, God will forgive and cleanse you from all unrighteousness (I John 1:7-9). With your heart purified by faith and zeal in the Son of God, even missed matters will not spoil your standing before Him (I Kings 15:14). The lawful liberty of the righteous is a great glory (Titus 1:15; Rom 14:22)! Richly enjoy the life He has given you! Amen.
A wicked man is always sinning, no matter what he does. His looks, heart, and actions are all unacceptable to God. He heaps up wrath against the day of wrath (Rom 2:5). Even innocent activities are defiled, when done by unbelievers (Tit 1:15-16). God once drowned the world, for He saw man's every thought was only evil continually (Gen 6:5)!
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